Staffordshire pub receives zero food hygiene rating
Inspectors from Tamworth Borough Council visited the Coton Arms in Tamworth on 8 September, following which the pub’s manager was advised of several actions to be taken immediately in order to comply with the law.
The Morning Advertiser attempted to contact the Coton Arms but had received no response at the time of publication.
However, assistant manager Abbey Vaerenburgh told the Birmingham Mail the low hygiene rating was down to a change in management as the new owners took over from the existing ownership around the same time the inspection took place.
Previous rating
She also confirmed the kitchen was currently closed and that the pub was not serving food. She said there were plans to reopen the kitchen and serve food at a later date.
The pub received a one-star food hygiene rating after its previous inspection in September 2016, according to the Food Standards Agency.
Tamworth Borough Council environmental and culture cabinet member Joy Goodall said: “All food premises within Tamworth are inspected on a regular basis by officers from the environmental health team.
“During the inspection the officer will assess the standard of the food hygiene practices observed, the standard and cleanliness of the facility and the ability of the food business operator or management to run the business."
Hygiene standard
She added: “Scores are used to determine the food hygiene rating from zero to five. A rating of five means standards are very good and zero means urgent improvements are required.
“The premises will be informed of its rating and any work that is required for them to improve their standards and therefore their rating.
“Businesses can appeal if they do not agree with their rating. If there is no appeal, they can ask for a new inspection to improve their rating, at a cost to themselves, once the necessary work has been completed.”
Environmental health officers will revisit the pub imminently and the council has said it expects all the urgent work to have been carried out. If not, officers may issues a formal hygiene improvement notice.
Tamworth Borough Council, in partnership with the Food Standards Agency, is also a part of a scheme called Rate My Place where the ratings scores and a copy of the letter sent to the pub are published.
